Exaltation, Work, and Light Bearers (Philippians 2)

Welcome to Write On! Wednesday. If this is your first time here, thanks for swinging by. I pray this will not be your first and last visit. Last week, we pulled from Philippians 2 and discussed humility towards God and others. Let’s continue in Philippians 2, beginning at verses 9 - 11. Paul writes, “Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The world’s confession of Jesus being Lord will surely be a sight to see. Believers, we will be confirmed, validated, and as the Word says, we will not be put to shame for our belief in Jesus. He will reign, and we will finally get the wonderful opportunity to see our King in all His glory. His humility resulted in the ultimate exaltation—one that we all see now and will see even better in the future.

Christ’s exaltation after humility exemplifies what we are called to pursue. When we submit ourselves unto God, He exalts us. James 4:10 reads, “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.” Humility towards God results in crucifying the flesh and being lifted up in the Spirit. God lifts us higher in Him to perform divine things for Him and His Kingdom. Exaltation in God is about first dying to our flesh, humbling ourselves according to His commands, and then watching Him exalt us to heights unimagined.

Too often, when we think of exaltation in Christ, we only think of worldly promotion. Some think of money, status, and fame. Others think of newfound relationships, degrees in higher education, or world travel. And please, do not misunderstand me. God can and has exalted His people in these areas.

Throughout scripture, we see God exalt His people such as David, Joseph, Mordecai, and Esther to higher positions. We see people marry and multiply by bearing children. We see David, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego increase in wisdom and knowledge well above the wisest and most knowledgeable men of their time. God can exalt His people in any capacity He so chooses. God’s people are blessed. We are favored, and often, we do see increase and exaltation in the natural world.

But more importantly, when God exalts His people, it is exaltation in things far greater. Promotions in joy, peace, and love, exaltation in self-control, gentleness, and kindness, and increase in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of things of God are the kinds of elevation that true seekers of God should be after.

Because what does it matter if you are exalted among men but lack peace? What good will it be if God blesses you with marriage and children if you are void of love and joy? How will it benefit you if your finances increase if you lack knowledge, wisdom, and understanding?

Exaltation in the material world means nothing if there is no elevation within the Spirit. We cannot properly maintain our earthly gain without guidance from God. And even if we do sustain earthly gains correctly, we will soon see all things pass away. And what will it have benefited us to gain the world and lose our soul? (Mark 8:36).

Humility requires dying to ourselves so that we may increase in the things of God. And if it is the Lord’s will to increase us in any capacity, we are to return all glory unto Him. Any promotion we receive should be used to promote God and His Kingdom. So, may we humble ourselves before God, and may He exalt us higher and higher in Him, until we are finally lifted unto glory forever and ever. Amen.

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Reader, let me discuss two more points with you, and I’ll be on my way. Let’s talk work, and let’s talk light. Paul writes, “ … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:12-13).

First, Paul calls us to work out our own salvation, but then he tells us that God works in us to do His will. Both are true. Working out our own salvation means it is our responsibility to walk in the Spirit instead of the flesh. It is our job to pick up our cross and die daily. God does not force us to deny ourselves—that’s something that we must decide to do. He also does not make us draw near to Him. It is written that we are to draw near unto God, so that He can draw near to us (James 4:8).

Our God is far too great a gentleman to force our cooperation in living lives worthy of the gospel. That is entirely up to us. Hence, we are to work out our own salvation. And yet, when God sees our efforts in working out our salvation, He steps in and works in us so that we can have the mindset to want to do His will and the ability to perform it.

So, it is our work and God’s work that sweetly blends together to work out holiness in us. Yes, salvation is unattainable outside of Christ. But Christ does require that we put forth the effort—that we put forth the work—to work out our own salvation. Indeed, faith without works is dead.

Last point for today is this … Paul writes, “Do all things without complaining and disputing that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14).

We are in the midst of a dark, fallen world. Some pray for a better world … they pray that the world could become a better place. But from what I see in scripture, the world will only grow darker as time passes. 2 Thessalonians 2 and 1 Timothy 4 speak of the great falling away, and the Book of Revelation reveals dark times ahead. Darkness in the earth is promised, and an increase in the darkness is prophesied.

Yet, Christians are to be lights. Darkness has never had the ability to drown light. Light always overtakes and floods out darkness. Light forces darkness to flee at its presence. When you turn on a light in a dark room, the darkness scatters. When light arrives, darkness runs.

So, although darkness in the world is great, if believers bear light as we are commanded, darkness will flee at our presence. Men and woman can escape their darkness if they see the light of Christ shining in you. You can lead them to Christ, the Light of the World, if you bear His light correctly. Some people will hate your light because it disrupts the darkness they love to sleep in—the darkness that keeps them from awakening to the truth of God. Yet, others will appreciate that you have agreed to shine forth in the name of the Lord. Therefore, let no one, not even yourself, stand in the way of God’s glory shining through you into the world.

Reader, that’s all I have for you today. May the Lord exalt you in the Spirit of God and the things of God. May you work out your own salvation as God works in you to fulfill His good will and pleasure, and may you be a bearer of light in this dark, perverse world.

God bless you and keep you. Until next time, take care.

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